Job threat to thousands leads to rally call to defend jobs and defend education

UCU has become aware of numerous colleges and universities that are planning hundreds of redundancies and course closures. In her message to members, Sally Hunt said: 'I believe that making teachers, lecturers and those who support learning redundant is an obscenity at any time, but during a recession it is nothing more than an act of academic vandalism

'The recession has reinforced the importance of learning, not reduced it; yet hundreds of UCU members' jobs are now at risk. Please help us to defend jobs and defend education.'

In the university sector thousands of jobs are threatened despite national funding settlements well above inflation.

• London Metropolitan University propose to axe at least 500 jobs – one quarter of the workforce.
• At Liverpool University, three departments face closure, with another five facing review.
• At Reading, while the local community cries out for more trained social and health workers, the university wants to close the department which trains them.

In further education too, jobs are at risk. Doncaster College alone has announced plans to restructure with a loss of up to 300 jobs. Reports continue to reach head office of planned closures and cuts elsewhere.

Universities and colleges are responding to the government's agenda of specialisation, which means they will fund only those who tick all the funding boxes and pass the discredited assessment criteria present across post-16 education. UCU says this Alice-in-Wonderland logic allows universities to shut departments which actually generate surpluses, like social care at Reading; boost participation, like London Met; or have excellent teaching and research, like the departments threatened at Liverpool.

The 'defend jobs, defend education' campaign aims to highlight the continuing impact of recession on workers and their families, and the need to invest in education as the basis for a more equitable society.

The campaign launches with a conference and rally on Thursday 2 April in London. More details here: www.ucu.org.uk/defendingeducation - all are welcome.

Other events planned include action around the upcoming G20 talks.